Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-08
THE MOTHERS REQUEST.

Henry, are you going to the villagef"
eyes; Pm bound that way"
'sWill you take the trouble to turn in
and do an GRAND for me with Mrs. But
Ier?"
"What! to old Nancy's?"
'Yes.''
"Good gracious; that'll take me half a
mile out of my way"
mo, no, Henry; not more than hum
dred yards.'
''Well, that's bother. What d'you
have errands for? I'd like to get off once
in my life without being saddled with
other peoples business"
''WelI, well, my son, if the trouble is
too great l will wait. You need not
bother"
''Oh, don't try on that. OF course I'll
90; but it's nuisance all the same.
What's the errandY"
II would like to have Mrs. Butler come
up here tomorrow afternoon and help
me through the evening if she can.
"Eh! What's up? Expecting company ?
What in the world are you coloring SO
for? Have I startled your"
mo, no, Henry, | was thinking. It
was nothing of Importance
'But you didn't tell me if you expect
company, tomorrow"
t'Yes, my son, 1 do. / expect Ella
Mason will be here, and she may have a
friend with her."
The face of the son changed instantly.
The look of sourness and crabbedness
gave place to an expression of pleasant
surprise, and, with a prolonged whistle,
he turned away.
At short distance he looked back over
his shoulder and called out: "Don't
fret, mother; I won't forget Mrs. But
ler."
And with that he was gone.
He was handsome young fellow, was
Harry Stevens, tall and strong, brown
haired and gray-eyed, with face ruddy
Ind hea.thfuI and superior to the aver
age of male faces in its manly beauty.
There were defects, however.
The eyes were not prominent, aud they
were too near together, and there was
about the lips touch of harshness almost
of cruelty.
Yet he was favorite in society, where
only his best side was seen.
His age was two-and-twenty.
The mother, Mrs. Mary Stevens, was a
widow, creeping on towards threescore,
a mild-faced, patient woman, with a
heart as tender and true as human heart
ever was.
The cottage in which she lived was
her own, left to her by her husband, aud
she had few hundred pounds in the
bank.
Henry was not her only son.
He was the youngest-her baby, she
had called him until he had forbidden it
and was preparing for the bar.
He expected to pass his final examina-
ton within a month.
"Hallo, mother!'
All! it was the voice of her eldest son,
Jack, and pretty soon he came in sight.
He was three years older than Henry
and of different fiber.
He was not quite so tall, but broader
of shoulder, heavier and stouter in every
way.
His hair was of an auburn color-his
brother called it ireland his eyes, full,
large, and clear as crystal, like the pre-
cious sapphire.
His face would not, at first sight, be
called handsome; but it was good face,
an honest, loyal, trustful face; ali, and as
one came to know it, and to know the
man. it became truely handsome in its
way.
Of course he had none of the statues
que, Apollo-like- beauty that characterized
the face of his brother.
He had learned the carpenters trade,
and was now, at the age of twenty five,
just entering into business on his own ac-
count as builder.
''Is there anything / can do for you at
the viIlage?" the eldest son asked, as he
came near TO where his mother stood on
the doorstep
eyes, Jack, if it would not be too much
trouble for you to bring home small
bundle for me.''
'Can l lift it?h
cts small bandbox with a silk dress
in it.n
s'Trouble! You dear mother! Can
anything I do for you be to me ever
trouble? When it is, you can get me
down for brute or crazy man. Bat
where am I to fad it?''
cat Mrs. Stickney's. She will have it
all ready for you.'
"a silk dress! When will you wear it,
mother?"
"Perhaps tomorrow"
ssEh, what's to come off then? Is it
company, or are you going away?"
slack, expect Ella Mason will be with
us OH the morrow"
The young man brought deep, quick
breath and heavy sigh, all of which
were clearly seen by a pair Of bright
eyes that looked out from the cottage,
through the intricacies of the latticed
vines.
ssWelI. weu,n said honest Jack, after
pause. "shell make the old house seem
like corner of heaven; and 1 suppose
Harry'u spruce up a bit and pat on lit
tie good nature. She can be nothing to
me, but nay God and all the good angels
bless her. nevertheless. Give me a kiss,
mother. You don't know how well you
looks
ssWho could help looking well, with
h son, dear Jack?"